Christopher Biggins has opened up on Dame Barbara Windsor's battle with dementia.
The pantomime star revealed his dear friend, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2014, was "on good form" when they met for lunch just over a month ago.
He said: "When I had lunch with her about five weeks ago in central London, she was fantastic. She was really good and she was on form and we laughed a lot.
"What happens is, she remembers the past - the way, way past - it’s things that happen on the day and the day before that are difficult for her."
However, Biggins confessed that, while Babs still has a great sense of humour, there is one very upsetting aspect to seeing her.
He explained that, as the symptoms of her dementia become more pronounced, Dame Barbara repeats the same questions to him.
When asked if she is forgetful, he said: "Unfortunately, yes. She asked me during the period of lunch about six or seven times what was I doing, where did I live, and it was the same repeated question.
"That is what is the saddest thing about it all.
"It's tricky for her husband Scott as he lives with it all the time. It's frustrating."
Biggins and Bab's friendship spans 30 years since they toured the nation in musical Guys & Dolls and he frequently pops in to her London home for a cuppa.
He added: "I think she’s very happy. Everything is looked after for her. Scott does everything they have people come in to do her make-up and her hair.
"She’s in a very good place I think. It’s just these lapses of memory, which are just awful."
Biggins also discussed Dame Barbara's hilarious response when he first saw her after her diagnosis.
He said: "I remember when she first had it, I went round to see her at her house, I was rather cruel as I said [speaking slowly] ‘Hello Barbara, my name is Biggins…’
"She said the ‘f’ word and we laughed a lot about it. She still has that great sense of humour. It’s a very sad situation, as lots of people know who have friends with dementia. It's an awful thing to have."
*Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV at 6am
